Boy who drowned in lake was from Elgin

Coroners have identified the boy who died over the holiday weekend when he drowned in a Montgomery lake as 10-year-old Jesus Gonzalez of Elgin.

The Kane County Coroner’s Office released a statement Wednesday, saying an autopsy conducted Tuesday found the preliminary cause of death to be drowning.

Jesus was pronounced dead Sunday night in the emergency room of Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, where he was taken after rescue divers pulled him from Jericho Lake Park in Montgomery, officials said.

The boy was at the park with his parents, siblings and other family, and went into the lake despite signs that prohibited swimming, according to Fox Valley Park District police.

After his siblings lost sight of Jesus, he was reported missing, prompting a 45-minute search by divers from Aurora and Sugar Grove. He was eventually located in 12 feet of water, about 25 feet from shore, according to officials.

John Heiderscheidt, safety coordinator for Elgin-based School District U-46, said the boy was a student at one of the district’s schools, but declined to say which one because of confidentiality policies.

He said a crisis team has been in place since Tuesday at the school for students and staff, and the district is also reaching out to offer support to the family.